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Typical residential gas meter dimensions (C) InspectApedia.com Gas Meter Clearance Distance Q&A #3
Space required around gas meters - FAQs

Gas meter clearance distance questions & answers set #3.

This article series provides a detailed table of example clearance distance specifications for natural gas meter installations, giving the distances to various building features such as windows, doors, electrical components, vents, air conditioners, and outside hose bibs. Gas service line trench features are also described.

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Gas Meter or Gas Meter Regulator Vent Clearance Distance FAQs

Gas meter protected from vehicles along a drive or alley in Tucson (C) Daniel Friedman

These questions and answers about distances between a gas meter and other building or site features were posted originally at the topic home: GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES - be sure to see the clearance spacing tables given there.

Photo: gas meters along an alley in Tucson Arizona in the U.S. must be protected from vehicle impact.

Details of that protective system are in a separate article found

at GAS METER PROTECTION BOLLARDS

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2019-07-22 by (mod) - is this gas meter to code?

Since i don't see the gas meter in question oerhaps you can attach a photo.

On 2019-07-22 by Amnon

The gas meter in the prevues page. It has verticals extension on the inlet and outlet of the meter. Also a s,90 elbow. Thank you for comment.

On 2019-07-21 by (mod) -

What picture?

On 2019-07-20 by Anonymous

Is the meter in the picture compliance with the code?

On 2019-05-04 by (mod) -

People store things in basements in New York City. However be sure to provide plenty of access room to meters not just for reading but for service and repair and be sure to leave plenty of space for moving about so that you don't create a fire hazard or trap.

If it were my Brownstone I would look for a history of water entry to be sure it's dry before storing things there.

On 2019-05-04 by NEW OWNER

We just bought a NYC condo in a brownstone. The cellar utility room has gas meters and electrical meters. Can this room also be used for personal storage? Are there fire codes and minimum distances of clearance from each meter?

I read that there must be 18 inches of clearance from the ceiling, but I am not sure about walkways and stuff near meters. It is a small and narrow room. We need storage space so this is our only option. Thank you in advance for your advice.

On 2019-04-30 by (mod) -

Generally the onsite inspector will measure from the gas meter closest edge to the building HVAC intake closest corner.

On 2019-04-29 by Rob Wilkinson

The mechanical code apparently requires 10 ft horizontally from HVAC intakes. The table above references 10 ft in any direction. Mine is at 7.5 ft horizontal, 12 ft radially.
Mobile County AL is requesting I move the meter on my new home(nearly completed).

Any clarification on this requirement would be appreciated.
Thanks

On 2019-01-31 by (mod) -

What pipes, Anon? If you're referring to the gas meter - there needs to be access as well as working space.

If you mean gas piping, that's not the same issue. The article on this page refers to clearances to the gas meter, not gas piping in general.

Provided you use approved materials and methods for installing them gas piping indoors can even be routed in concealed or not readily-accessible space.

On 2019-01-31 by Anonymous

Can i put an obstacle in front of the pipes (indoor) as long as there is a 3 feet in between?

On 2019-01-31 by (mod) - Can I put an obstacle in front of the pipes ?

What pipes, Anon? If you're referring to the gas meter - there needs to be access as well as working space.

If you mean gas piping, that's not the same issue. The article on this page refers to clearances to the gas meter, not gas piping in general.

Provided you use approved materials and methods for installing them gas piping indoors can even be routed in concealed or not readily-accessible space.

On 2019-01-31 by Anonymous

Can i put an obstacle in front of the pipes (indoor) as long as there is a 3 feet in between?

On 2018-12-12 by (mod) - Can I mount a tankless water heater above the gas meter?

Johns

YOu'll need to meet all of the meter clearance requirements

and

You'll need to meet all of the clearance requirements for the tankless water heater too - you'll find a sketch in the installation manual for your specific heater.

Take care that

- you maintain easy access and working space for service of both the water heater and gas meter

- that both the gas meter and water heater are properly vented outdoors

On 2018-12-11 by Johns

Can I mount a tankless water heater above the gas meter?

On 2018-12-07 by (mod) -

3 feet in any direction horizontally or vertically to the feature

1 foot to a feature located below

On 2018-11-29 by Anonymous

Is there a clearance requirement between a gas pipe and window frame?

On 2018-10-10 by (mod) - gas meter distance to shrubs

Rick

Our complete table of gas meter and regulator clearances can be found at

GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES

There you will see it's 3ft to the front and 2 ft to the sides for shrubs or Landscaping

On 2018-10-09 by Rick/Michigan

How far from any landscaping(shrubs) does the gas meter on the house need to be?
Thanks.

On 2018-08-08 by (mod) - rule of how far the gas meter should be from the house

GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES

gives distances

On 2018-08-08 by Mary

Hello- my mom has her gas meter very close to the street and very far away from the house ( maybe more 5 meters)- do you know if there is any rule of how far the gas meter should be from the house and if the company is paying for relocating the gas meter closer to the house. I am in Ohio with Dominion. Thanks

On 2018-07-19 by (mod) - The problem is clearances to the regulator vent.

Scott

I have seen the gas meter vent extended to a "safe" location but I would not do so anywhere without approval of the local plumbing inspector and gas company.

On 2018-07-19 by Scott

I recently had natural gas brought to my house to replace my LP service. The gas meter is rather large and had to be located near the front entry way which is where the electric meter, cable and phone boxes are. It is all rather unsightly and the placement of the gas meter is rather high on the wall.

I would like to move the gas meter over and down (easy to do as it isn't piped other than to plastic feed line). By moving it over, the length of feed pipe will pull it down a bit and it will look much better and can be more easily screened from view.

The problem is clearances to the regulator vent. There is plenty of clearance to windows and doors but the electric meter is where I will have a problem. The vent is currently just over 3 feet to the electric meter.

By moving the gas meter to where I want it that clearance drops to about 2 feet. My question is: Can I pipe the regulator vent the added foot or two away from the electrical meter?

Basically adding a short pipe to the vent to allow the meter location closer to the electrical meter but still meeting the 3 foot minimum clearance from the vent to electrical meter?

On 2018-06-30 by (mod) - gas meter to lot line

John there are several questions here.

You asked about distance from a fire pit to property lines but first you want to check immediate life safety hazards: how close to gas meters, buried gas lines, or other safety-related utilities is your fire pit.

First - in the table given at GAS METER CODES & CLEARANCE DISTANCES

(that's the home page from which this FAQs page is descended), you will find the following pertaining specifically to gas meters, not lot lines:

"Gas meter clearance distance to open flame barbeque or cooker or to an incinerator or other open flame device" = 3 ft.

Second, what are local open fire burning regulations in Chatham.

While the law pertains first to burning brush, Chatham MA does have guidance on open fires:
Open burning is allowed from mid winter to early spring across most of Massachusetts.

It is prohibited in 22 densely built and populated cities and towns. -www.mass.gov/service-details/open-burning-safety gives links to more-local burning regulations

Excerpts:

Open burning must be done:

Between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from January 15 to May 1

Massachusetts Communities where open burning is prohibited at all times: Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Medford, New Bedford, Newton, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield, Worcester

Outdoor cooking is allowed year-round in all communities and is not subject to open burning limits.
[But I doubt that pertains to fire pits]

Chatham MA rules that we could find at ecode360.com/10426709 do not discuss fire pits.

On 2018-06-30 1 by john

How far away from neighbors lot line must I be when installing a fire pit in chatham MA

On 2018-04-23 by (mod) - distance from gas meter to storage shed

Jim,

at GAS METER CLEARANCE DISTANCE FAQs-2 you will find an answer to your question of gas meter distance to a shed or outbuilding at the discussion titled

On 2017-11-03 by (mod) - constructing a carport from the wall with the gas meter.

On 2018-04-23 by jim

puting a shed in back yard no electric how close to the meter can I put shed

On 2018-11-26 by (mod) - clearance requirement between a gas pipe and window frame?

Anon:

As cited in the gas meter clearance distance tables link given just above:

3 feet in any direction horizontally or vertically to the feature

1 foot to a feature located below

On 2018-11-29 20:51:43.358705 by Anonymous

Is there a clearance requirement between a gas pipe and window frame?

On 2018-11-26 by (mod) - How far from doorways

Theron check the gas meter clearance distances given in the table on this page - there you'll see, among other entries,

Gas meter regulator vent clearance to building doors or garage doors

3 feet in any direction horizontally or vertically to the feature

1 foot to a feature located below ... (more specific cases)

On 2018-11-26 by Theron

How far from doorways

On 2018-11-11 by (mod) - can you terminate the intake and exhaust for furnace close to gas meter.

Nope.

On 2018-11-11 by Johny

If the regulator for gas meter is far can you terminate the intake and exhaust for furnace close to gas meter.

On 2018-09-28 by (mod) - meter reader has to have easy access to read and inspect the meter.

Dave I haven't seen that restriction but I am quite sure that the people to ask are your gas supplier company.

After all, the meter reader has to have easy access to read and inspect the meter. There may also be issues of clearance distances from windows or other openings or from the roof overhang.

On 2018-09-28 by Dave

Question: What is the maximum height above ground that a meter can be placed?

I am like to meter to place head height so it not a tripping hazard along the side of the house. Is this possible?

On 2018-08-22 by (mod) - building owner is responsible for the conditions of and safety of their property

Dale this is a question for your lawer, but in my general OPINION, ultimately, the building owner is responsible for the conditions of and safety of their property.

IF you had work done recently that installed equipment improperly you might have a gripe with the contractor who did that work.

On 2018-08-22 by Dale McClung

I must upgrade my electrical panel to 200 amps. The gas meter and associated piping is less than 36" from the panel. Who is responsible for the code violation?

On 2018-08-01 by (mod) -

Jara

Try this: in your browser on this page press CTRL-F to use your browser's "Find" feature. Then in the search bar that opens up search for

clearance distance to windows

and you'll find all of the details on window clearances to gas meters.

On 2018-08-01 by Jara

how far away from a window or door is the outside gas meter suppose to be?

On 2018-06-30 by (mod) -

Probably - that's a question to take to your attorney: who is responsible for gas meter installation in your country and city?

I'd figure that the safety concerns are probably sufficient to focus first on getting the job done and less on grandfathering.

On 2018-06-30 by J Scott

In regards to the clearance around gas meters. The condition has existed for more than 16 years and predates the conversion of the property from rental units to condo units, which took place in 2001. Are the current owners (Condo Association) responsible for the costs involved to move the meters?



On 2018-05-09 by (mod) -

Just to clarify, a NJ law would be state, not Federal law.

An outside gas meter location is recommended and shown in model and state codes for safety. Typically your local gas company and local plumbing inspector are the final legal authority.

On 2018-05-09 00:00:34.702616 by Sharon s Adams

Is there a nj federal law that gas meter has to be outside of the home?

On 2018-04-27 19:33:58.708847 by (mod) -

If it meets the clearance and perhaps protection requirements for gas meters specified by the plumbing codes and by the gas company where you live.

On 2018-04-26 10:05:05.792688 by Ja

Can a gas meter be installed on city property along a busy roadway

On 2018-01-17 23:02:46.795488 by (mod) -

Sorry Mac but I don't understand the situation. Portable gas fired generators are NOT safe to use indoors. There is risk of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gas pipes for gas appliances are commonly run inside of buildings, provided the piping is done to meet model and local building codes for gas piping.

On 2018-01-17 21:58:38.578980 by Mac

Gas pipe for Generator are safe to run in side the house to bring it out? or it should be done only outside? Is there a risk for gas pipe leakage if we run inside the house?


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